Colchester picked up their first points of the season thanks to a hat-trick from Jamie Cureton and a penalty from Chris Iwelumo as they saw off Derby 4-3 despite a comeback which saw the County score two in the last 10 minutes.

"When we hit the bar early on and missed a couple of chances I thought it might be one of those days again," said Colchester's manager Geraint Williams. "To have gone into a two-week break with five defeats would have put a lot of pressure on everybody connected with the club."

Billy Davies, the Derby manager, was understandably furious. "I can see why we lost the FA Cup-tie here last season. We must learn to come to places like this and compete."

Leicester crept into the top half of the table by edging out Southend 1-0 with the Australian defender Patrick Kisnorbo capping a fine performance by scoring the goal, although the former City defender Spencer Prior almost salvaged a point with a late header after coming on as a substitute. "Spencer should have got it at least on target and I'm disappointed to not get a point," said the manager Steve Tilson.

Stoke's manager Tony Pulis was booed by both sets of fans before and after the game against Plymouth, the side he left two months ago to return the Potteries. Mamady Sidibe put City in front but Barry Hayles hooked in the equaliser in the 1-1 draw. "People pay their money and are entitled to their views," Pulis said afterwards. "I knew it would be difficult when I came back."

Coventry snatched a 1-0 victory at Hull with the substitute Kevin Thornton striking five minutes from time. "To lose you first three home games is not good enough and I take full responsibiility for that," said Phil Parkinson, four defeats and a draw to his name since taking over at the KC Stadium from Peter Taylor.

Nottingham Forest and Port Vale both lost their 100% records but continue to set the pace in League One. Forest are a point clear after taking a point at Huddersfield, Gary Taylor-Fletcher heading in a rebound after Danny Schofield's shot hit the bar to cancel out Grant Holt's goal for Forest. Martin Foyle's Vale, after four wins out of four, were beaten for the first time this season, losing 1-0 to Paul Terry's 25-yard shot after only four minutes at Yeovil.

Nigel Spackman's Millwall lost 3-2 at Cheltenham, where Grant McCann's penalty put Town ahead, but Derek McInnes levelled for the Lions who then had Lenny Pidgeley sent off for handling outside his area. Marvin Williams put the 10 men ahead on half-time but Cheltenham made their numerical advantage count through Kayode Odejayi and John Melligan and climbed to sixth.

Dennis Wise and Swindon extended their winning start in League Two season to five games after easing past Stockport with a 2-0 victory. Aaron Brown knocked in a free-kick just past the half-hour and Christian Roberts sealed the points shortly after the hour.